Weekend Review

In the main event of a Showtime televised program unbeaten prospect Randy Caballero (16-0 8KO) outpointed game fighter Manuel Roman (15-2-3 6KO) through 10 rounds in the bantamweight division (118 Ibs.). Caballero fought at a distance by throwing accurate jabs and straight right crosses. Roman was able to clinch Caballero from time to time but he wasn’t able to land enough punches or more powerful punches in order to beat the undefeated fighter.

Caballero managed to knock down Roman in the second round with a right-hook combination but Roman was able to fight back effectively in the last two rounds of the fight. The fight was scored 97-92 and 96-93(twice). Caballero showed promise in the fight and it will be interesting to see if he can develop into a serious threat in the bantamweight division and beyond.

In the super middleweight division (168 Ibs.) Arthur Abraham (35-3 27KO) defeated Robert Stieglitz (42-3 23KO) by unanimous decision, winning the WBO title from Stieglitz in the process. This win is the most significant of Abraham’s career since he kayoed Jermain Taylor over two years ago. Since the Taylor victory, Abraham had struggled immensely in the Super Six tournament, losing to the elite of the division including Andre Dirrell, Carl Froch, and Andre Ward.

In this hotly contested bout, the fight was difficult to score as Stieglitz was the aggressor and Abraham was the puncher. Abraham showed that he still has a tendency to over depend on his power as he conserved energy and fought in spurts. Stieglitz proved his toughness by absorbing Abraham’s best punches and he was able to take advantage of his inactivity by putting pressure on Abraham at points. In fact, it appeared as though Stieglitz won the first three rounds at least.

Abraham was able to find his range in the fourth round and it seemed he couldn’t miss with the right hand. Stieglitz fought back but it was obvious whose punches were harder and more effective. Stieglitz landed effective left and right hooks and was able to keep up with Abraham at times. Uncharacteristically, Abraham pressed the action in the eighth and ninth rounds and clearly won them.

Stieglitz suffered a cut above his right eye in the 10thround and Abraham used that as a mark in order to land left hands. Abraham coasted in the 12th round; correctly believing he didn’t need to win the 12th in order to win the fight. Abraham gained back some of the luster he had before the Super Six Tournament but it is clear that he’ll need to gain at least one more significant victory in order to regain the respect he lost. A rematch with Stieglitz would be appealing considering the competitiveness of the bout but matches with Lucian Bute and Geroge Groves are also welcoming.